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helix

Noun
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A spiral shape, especially one that coils around a central axis.

Detailed Definition
In biology, a helix is a spiral form, and the DNA molecule is famously described as a double helix. The poem uses the word in that scientific sense, referring to the twisted structure of genetic material.
Example
Example in poetry:
“A double helix, a twist divine” makes helix both scientific form and lyric image; DNA’s double helix consists of two spiraling strands; “The staircase curled in a helix toward the roof” uses the geometric sense; “Our voices rose in helix through the choir” turns spiral form into a metaphor for intertwined sound
Additional Notes
The evidence shows the technical biological sense of "helix," which many readers may know only vaguely or not at all.; Found in the poem, The Double Helix by Richard
Also Known As
double helix spiral staircase twisted ladder DNA structure
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